Sorry, I could not resist the title. :)
It is simpler than it sounds.
Reading the inclusive language of Creator's Charter (or mission statement that is framed), together with the story Pastor Dayle related in her sermon the Sunday before last, I'm convinced a completely inclusive welcome is a core value for most, if not all, of the congregation.
One question Janice brought up was how many in the congregation are comfortable technically on the internet. If we create a devoted space, similar to this blog, for collaborative work on the language of the Affirmation of Welcome, will they come?
A description of what we are accomplishing would be included (an explicit welcome for all those who may not feel welcome based on past history) and the invitation would be for the congregation to consider times when they felt most welcomed themselves or realized they were proud of Creator's welcome to another and / or those times they felt least welcome or saw someone did not experience that welcome.
The entire congregation could be invited by email, mail and newsletter to contribute either by directly updating the blog, or mailing in their contributions, or perhaps dropping off their contributions at the church. The blog would be updated to reflect the non-blog contributions.
We could post hightlights of the blog on the RIC Bulletin Board. We may brainstorm how to promote this activity. When we have an affirmation of welcome distilled from the blog we could use a survey tool to poll the congregation to insure we have the affirmation the congregation approves of before the January meeting.
Benefits:
Congregation may play a part in our process quickly and simultaneously (no waiting for group meetings)
Contributions may be anonymous (any flames may be filtered out but keep their perspective)
Reading various pieces of welcome of others may inspire the congregation
We may address non-GLBT welcome issues that should be incorporated into our affirmation
We may see if there is opinion against GLBT without getting into a situation of potential conflict
Drawbacks:
The congregation may not take advantage of the blog. It becomes a less-attractive solution as a place to collaborate if it is not done directly by the congregation.
If relied on solely desired relationships may not be built and it may make it easier to put off 'one on ones'.
I don't advocate this be our only step but it makes sense as a first step to me. There may be a better idea. What I would like to see is:
1) The congregation engaged quickly
2) That no one feels left out because they are at the end of a process that takes time. People should not feel left out, particularly in a process about welcome
3) The congregation involved in something fun and inspiring. Having Creator's RIC discernment story be filled with "And then another extraordinary thing happened..." is something I am sure we are all after.
It would make sense to present our proposed next steps for RIC at the April council meeting. Pastor Dayle reports we have 87 out of 120 familes on the church email list. Also Pastor Dayle is revisiting the core values and mission definitions that came from the work of the Vision Quest team.
Another step we may want to take soon is to start practicing one on one sessions with one another in preparation for the meetings ahead.
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